Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Manoj Kumar
In a remarkable achievement, the Indian equestrian dressage team, consisting of highly skilled and talented individuals, secured a gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 on Tuesday. This exceptional victory not only brought glory to the nation but also marked a historic moment in India's sporting history, as it was the country's first-ever gold medal in this prestigious event at the Asiads, showing the collective prowess of the Indians in international sporting event
The victorious Indian equestrian team comprised four exceptionally talented and dedicated individuals, namely Sudipti Hajela, Divyakriti Singh, Hriday Chheda, and Anush Agarwalla. Their collective prowess and unwavering teamwork played a pivotal role in securing this historic victory.
Equestrian sports have deep historical roots, originating from the practical use of horses in warfare. Dressage, a core component of equestrian, emerged as a systematic method of training horses and riders, emphasising the crucial aspect of harmony between the rider and the horse.
Equestrian sports are celebrated for their gender-inclusive nature, allowing both men and women to compete on an equal footing within the same category, promoting a sense of equality and fairness in the sport.
Dressage, often dubbed the "art of horse training," involves a meticulously choreographed routine where the rider and horse execute predetermined movements entirely from memory within a standard arena. This discipline is widely regarded as the pinnacle of horse training, demanding an impeccable level of coordination, communication, and precision between rider and horse.
Dressage routines are elevated to an art form as they are performed to music. Expert judges evaluate the performances based on criteria such as the fluidity and grace with which the routine is executed. Agility, technique, and the seamless partnership between rider and horse are at the heart of dressage.
Dressage tests are categorised into various levels, governed by the FEI (Fédération Équestre Internationale). These include Prix St. Georges, Intermediary I, Intermediary II, and Grand Prix. The pinnacle of dressage competition at the Olympic Games features the Grand Prix level, known for its exceptional difficulty, requiring the utmost skill and concentration from both horse and rider.
Key movements in dressage encompass a diverse range of skills, including the Piaffe (an elevated trot in place), Passage (a trot with graceful pauses), Collected gaits (a shortening of stride with increased hindquarter engagement), Flying changes in sequence, Pirouette (a mesmerising 360-degree turn in place, often performed at the canter), and Half-pass (a lateral movement with a slight bend).
While not mandatory, warm-blooded horses are often the preferred choice in dressage due to their ideal temperament and suitability for the sport. These horses are meticulously bred, resulting from the crossbreeding of hot-blooded horses (such as thoroughbreds, renowned for their liveliness and speed) with draught horses (bred for their strength and gentle nature).
Equestrian sports also emphasise the presentation of horses, with meticulous grooming, braided manes, and quarter marks (intricate patterns on the horse's coat created by combing the hair in various directions) being common elements. However, it's essential that these decorative aspects do not distract the horse from its performance, maintaining the focus on the seamless partnership between rider and steed.